I see you're in South Carolina. I am too (Columbia area). I have a disassembled 455 short block with a .010" under crank, resized rods with ARP bolts, TA cast 10:1 pistons, TA 290H cam, double roller timing chain, and a set of TA pushrods in good shape if you're interested in buying. I'll sell the whole lot for way less than I paid for it all - maybe I can save you some money and clear some space in my garage at the same time. PM me if you want more information. Also, since you're close by, maybe I can help you out with your build sometime. I also have a '72 Skylark that I just finished putting a JW 470 in (hence the reason I'm looking for a new home for my previous 455). Chris G.
He has a disassembled engine, maybe he'll sell some of the parts separate if anything looks like something you may want or need? A freshly ground crank for less than having yours done would be worth asking how much that is if your ends up needing to be reground? If you can get a deal on the double roller timing chain for less than new, the guy sounds like he's close and needs to make room in his garage is $$ you can save, just a thought. GL Derek
I'm using a machine shop that I have never used before, but is recommended by a few friends, what are some good questions to ask them before I just let them work on my stuff, I have read horror stories about machine shops working on buick motors when they are not familiar with them. Do I just come out and ask if they have ever done buicks?
You could ask them if they know about all the oil mods a Buick 455 needs.Ask them if they know about the dual grooved cam bearings. Those are the two I can think of that anyone building a Buick motor should know.
Ok guys, I am going with a TA 290 94h cam for my 9.5:1 cr. That seems to be a good choice for my build, what do yall think?
Also what springs will match up good with that cam, the TA springs seem pricey compared to others, are there any other brands out There that will work just as well?
I just got off the phone with TA they said the 290-94h was a good choice for 9.5:1 cr. They recommend the TA 1435A stage one springs. Also a 2500 stall and 3.23-3.42 gears. Dones that info sound right to yall?
I went with: Comp Cams valve springs 249-910-16 Check my parts list in the thread I linked as I tried to get a solid engine without getting all those "best" racer-quality parts.
I actually have your list save in my phone, been referring to it a lot! Just wanted to make sure the were comparable springs.
I have yet another question, sorry guys. The parts motor I got is a 1970, with the intake off of that fit my 73 heads? Google wasn't much help, some aftermarket intakes say they are year specific, and some say they fit all years, so I'm kinda wondering if the bolt holes stayed in the same locations throughout the years.
Bolt holes are EXACTLY the same for any intake off a Buick 400-430-455. The differences are in the cross over openings and emissions openings, but nothing that can't be overcome.
Not totally sure but to use the '73 heads on a '70 block I believe there are a couple coolant passages that need to be plugged or there will be a coolant leak as soon as its started. It might be the '74 heads when the change happened but I think more then likely it was '73 the same time the sbb 350 changed their head design similarly. Derek
The above is what threw me off made it seem like the '73 heads were going on the '70 block, so if you're using a '73 block like you wrote though you won't have any problems. Derek
Got my valve springs in from TA over the weekend, hopefully I can find time to drop the heads off at the machine shop this week!
I dropped my heads off at the shop today! Glad I finally got the ball rolling on taking parts to the machine shop. Haha. I'll keep updates posted for anyone who may be following along!
